DOH investigation | The Health Law Firm Blog

Phony Pharmacist Gets Prison Time for Working at Pharmacies in Central Florida

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

On November 2, 2012, a former Altamonte Springs resident was sentenced to three and a half years in federal prison for fraudulently working as a Central Florida pharmacist from 2000 to 2009, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Click here to read the press release from the DOJ.

I previously blogged about this story when the fake pharmacist pleaded guilty. Click here to read that blog.

Man Allegedly Worked at a CVS and Walgreens in Central Florida.

According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, the man worked at pharmacies throughout Central Florida, including a CVS and a Walgreens. While working at one of the pharmacies, he allegedly gave a customer the incorrect medication, causing that person to suffer a […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:08-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Department of Health, Florida Board of Pharmacy, Legal Defense for Pharmacists, Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Pharmacy Law|Tags: criminal charges, DEA investigation, DEA number, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Department of Health (DOH), DOH investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), identity theft, investigation, legal defense for pharmacists, legal representation for pharmacists, license revoked, pharmacies, pharmacy investigation, quality assurance|Comments Off

Finding a Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance Defense Lawyer

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

We are sometimes told by the health professionals we represent especially pharmacists, licensed mental health counselors (LMHCs), advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs), massage therapists and physical therapists that after they received a complaint regarding their license from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) they had difficulty finding an experienced attorney in Florida who would accept their professional liability insurance. In this case, I am speaking specifically about Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance.

Benefits of HPSO Insurance.

The professionals who are covered by HPSO Insurance have excellent insurance coverage. HPSO Insurance provides professional liability coverage that protects in the event of a lawsuit or negligence claim. But much more often the professional receives a notice of an investigation, a subpoena […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:39-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Insurance, Legal Defense for Pharmacists, Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Pharmacy Law|Tags: administrative attorney, administrative complaint, administrative hearings, administrative lawyer, Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) investigation, AHCA complaint, defense attorney, defense lawyer, DOH investigation, experienced health attorney Florida, experienced health lawyer Florida, Florida defense attorney, Florida defense lawyer, Florida Department of Health (DOH), Florida license defense, health facilities, health professionals, Healthcare Providers Service Organization (HPSO) Insurance, pharmacist, pharmacy, professional liability insurance|Comments Off

Recall Alert: FDA Warns Steroid Injections Compounded by Tennessee Pharmacy May Be Contaminated

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent out a warning to health care professionals that steroid injections compounded by Main Street Family Pharmacy, LLC, in Tennessee, may be contaminated. The announcement came on May 24, 2013. So far, seven patients have allegedly suffered adverse reactions from the medications. The FDA says it is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Tennessee Board of Pharmacy to investigate. The steroid injections were allegedly sent to 13 states, including Florida.

To read the press release from the FDA, click here.

Steroid Injections Recalled.

According to an article in the Associated Press, officials have not yet confirmed the products are contaminated. The FDA is treating all sterile products from Main Street Family Pharmacy […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:13-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Compounding pharmacy, Department of Health, Legal Defense for Pharmacists, Pharmacist, Pharmacy, Pharmacy Law|Tags: administrative complaints, administrative law, attorney administrative law, Board of Pharmacy, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), compounding pharmacy, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Department of Health (DOH), DOH attorney, DOH investigation, DOH lawyer, drug recall, legal defense for administrative complaints, licensing issues, Main Street Family Pharmacy, meningitis, meningitis outbreak, pharmacist, pharmacist attorney, pharmacist lawyer, pharmacy, pharmacy attorney, pharmacy deficiencies, pharmacy inspections, pharmacy investigation, pharmacy lawyer, product recall, speciality pharmacy, sterile drugs, steroid injection, the health law firm, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)|Comments Off

Florida Suspends the Licenses of 81 Massage Therapists

By Joanne Kenna, J.D., R.N., and George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

According to a number of sources, state authorities have announced the suspension of more than 80 massage therapists’ licenses, who appear to have fraudulently obtained their licenses with the help of an employee with the Florida College of Natural Health. On September 19, 2012, 81 emergency suspension orders (ESOs) were signed, suspending the licenses of massage therapists who are part of ongoing investigations.

To see the entire press release from the Florida governor’s office, click here.

Investigation Found More Than 200 Therapists Obtained Their Licenses Fraudulently.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, earlier this year the Florida Department of Health (DOH), Clearwater Human Trafficking Task Force and the South Florida Human Trafficking Task Force began an investigation into several massage therapy […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:46-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Department of Health Investigation, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License|Tags: administrative charges, administrative complaint, advanced therapy, back pain investigation, defense attorney, Department of Health (DOH), DOH investigation, emergency suspension order (ESO), fake massage therapist, Florida Board of Massage therapy, Florida College of Natural Health, formal hearing, human trafficking, Informal hearing, license investigation, licensed massage therapist, licensure defense coverage, massage therapist, Massage therapy, massage therapy defense, neck pain investigation, neuromuscular therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation investigation, shoulder surgery investigation, sports medicine therapy, trigger point therapy|1 Comment

Two Orlando-Area Pharmacists Arrested on Charges of Allegedly Trafficking Drugs

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Two Orlando-area pharmacists were arrested on June 4, 2013, allegedly in connection to trafficking oxycodone, according to a number of local media sources. An Orlando Sentinel article states that the pharmacists are also co-owners of an Orlando pharmacy that was raided by the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (MBI).

This is the fourth pharmacy in the Orlando area in which a pharmacist has been arrested as a result of an MBI investigation into alleged forgery and drug trafficking operations, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

I want to point out that these are just allegations made against the pharmacists at this point in time and nothing has been proven by the state.

Pharmacists Allegedly Filling Fake Prescriptions for Drug Traffickers.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, MBI agents said the pharmacists […]

Suspended Florida Massage Therapists are Being Asked to Voluntarily Relinquish Their Licenses

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law, and Christopher E. Brown, J.D.

On September 19, 2012, Florida state authorities announced the suspension of more than 80 massage therapists’ licenses. They are accused of fraudulently obtaining their licenses based on fake documentation obtained from a staff member at the Florida College of Natural Health, in Pompano Beach, Florida. On September 20, 2012, one massage therapist, whose license was suspended, spoke to the Sun Sentinel saying she had legitimately completed all of the requirements to obtain a license and is now being asked by the Department of Health (DOH) to voluntarily relinquish her license.

Click here to read the original blog post on the suspension of 81 massage therapists’ licenses.

Alleged “Rogue” […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:46-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Department of Health Investigation, Emergency Suspension Orders, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License|Tags: administrative charges, administrative complaint, advanced therapy, back pain investigation, defense attorney, Department of Health (DOH), DOH investigation, emergency suspension order (ESO), fake massage therapist, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Florida College of Natural Health, formal hearing, human trafficking, Informal hearing, license investigation, licensed massage therapist, licensure defense coverage, massage therapist, Massage therapy, massage therapy defense, neck pain investigation, neuromuscular therapy, physical therapy, rehabilitation investigation, shoulder surgery investigation, sports medicine therapy, trigger point therapy|1 Comment

Florida Woman Arrested for Allegedly Posing as a Nurse, Giving Botox Injections-For Second Time

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

A Boca Raton, Florida, woman was arrested on June 21, 2013, after authorities say she posed as a nurse and offered Botox injections. The fake nurse has been charged with unlicensed practice of a health care professional. If found guilty, the phony nurse could be sentenced to up to five years in jail. This was a joint investigation between the Florida Department of Health (DOH) Investigative Services Unit, the City of Boca Raton Police Department and the Florida Department of Corrections.

To read the press release from the DOH, click here.

Undercover Agents Visited Fake Nurse at her Place of Business.

According to The Palm Beach Post, officials began their investigation of the fake nurse on June 6, 2013, after receiving an anonymous tip. Local police officials and […]

The Collateral Effects of Voluntary Relinquishment with Investigation Pending or other Discipline on Your Massage Therapy License

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

Many massage therapists are unaware of the drastic long-term effects that discipline on their massage therapist license could have. This includes submitting a voluntary relinquishment of the massage therapist’s license while there is an investigation pending or while there are charges pending. Although this particular article is being prepared specifically for massage therapists, similar principles apply to physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, dentists, mental health counselors and other licensed health professionals.

A voluntary relinquishment of the license after notice of the opening of an investigation or while a charge is pending is treated the same as a disciplinary revocation of the license. It is reported out the same and is treated the same. In some cases it may even be worse, if the agreement […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:46-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Department of Health Investigation, Emergency Suspension Orders, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License|Tags: administrative charges, administrative complaint, advanced therapy, back pain investigation, defense attorney, dentists, Department of Health (DOH), DOH investigation, election of rights (EOR), emergency suspension order (ESO), fake massage therapist, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Florida College of Natural Health, formal hearing, human trafficking, Informal hearing, license investigation, licensed health professionals, licensed massage therapist, licensure defense coverage, massage therapist, Massage therapy, massage therapy defense, mental health counselors, neck pain investigation, neuromuscular therapy, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapy, physicians, psychologists, rehabilitation investigation, shoulder surgery investigation, sports medicine therapy, trigger point therapy|Comments Off

Florida Board of Massage Therapy Revokes More Licenses

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) Board of Massage Therapy met in Sunrise, Florida, on January 24 and 25, 2013. During the meeting the Board held disciplinary hearings to determine, among other matters, the fate of a number of Florida massage therapists. Many of these massage therapists were accused of obtaining their licenses to practice through a transcript-buying scandal centered on the Florida College of Natural Health.

The Health Law Firm had one of its attorneys present at this Board of Massage Therapy meeting to get first-hand information on what was going on.

You may remember back in September 2012, the Florida Surgeon General announced that he had signed 161 emergency suspension orders (ESOs) for massage […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:47-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Department of Health Investigation, Emergency Suspension Orders, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy License|Tags: administrative charges, administrative complaint, advanced therapy, ASM Beauty World Academy Inc. Florida Board of Massage Therapy, back pain investigation, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Department of Health (DOH), DOH investigation, emergency suspension order (ESO), fake massage therapist, Florida College of Natural Health, formal hearing, human trafficking, Informal hearing, license investigation, licensed massage therapist, licensure defense coverage, massage therapist, Massage therapy, massage therapy defense, neck pain investigation, neuromuscular therapy, physical therapy, professional liability insurance, rehabilitation investigation, shoulder surgery investigation, sports medicine therapy, trigger point therapy|9 Comments

Massage Therapists (LMTs) and Massage Therapy Assistants: What You Don’t Know About Legal Matters Can Hurt You

By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law

The attorneys of The Health Law Firm represent Licensed Massage Therapists (LMTs) and Massage Therapy Assistants in a number of different legal matters. We appear before the Board of Massage Therapy. We represent massage therapists and massage therapy assistants in disciplinary matters, in credential matters, in licensing matters and in defending against malpractice claims and suits.

If you receive a letter from the Department of Health (DOH) notifying you that you are being investigated, this is a very serious matter. Get an attorney who is experienced in such matters. If you do receive a letter from the DOH, finding correct information regarding the next steps in the process is vital. Read on the learn more, and hopefully help you fight to keep your license.

Here is what […]

By The Health Law Firm|2024-03-14T10:01:47-04:00May 15, 2018|Categories: Department of Health Investigation, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Massage Therapy|Tags: administrative charges, administrative complaint, advanced therapy, defense attorney, defense lawyer, Department of Health (DOH), DOH investigation, emergency suspension order (ESO), fake massage therapist, Florida Board of Massage Therapy, Florida College of Natural Health, formal hearing, Informal hearing, license investigation, licensed massage therapist, licensure defense coverage, malpractice insurance, massage therapist, Massage therapy, massage therapy assistant, massage therapy defense, neck pain investigation, neuromuscular therapy, physical therapy, professional liability insurance, rehabilitation investigation, shoulder surgery investigation, sports medicine therapy, the health law firm, trigger point therapy|1 Comment